RECREATION PASSPORT EXEMPTION FOR
VEHICLES TRANSPORTING PASSENGERS FOR HIRE
House Bill 4463 as introduced
Sponsor: Rep. Beau Matthew LaFave
Committee: Transportation
Complete to 6-17-19
SUMMARY:
House Bill 4463 would amend the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (NREPA) to exempt certain resident motor vehicles from the requirement that a vehicle must have a tab or sticker to show that the recreation passport fee has been paid before the vehicle can enter a state park or a state-operated public boat access site.
Currently, Michigan residents can purchase a recreation passport for $11 when getting or renewing their license plates via the Secretary of State.[1] The passport is valid for one year (or the period of the registration) and allows entry to state parks, boat launches, and recreation areas. Recreation passports can also be purchased by Michigan residents outside the annual vehicle registration process, and nonresidents may purchase annual or daily motor vehicle park permits. Recreation passports are not required for entry on foot or bicycle into state-managed sites or for certain exempted vehicles (e.g., those with disabled veteran plates).
The bill would additionally exempt, with regard to state park and state boat launch access, a motor vehicle being used to transport passengers for hire and that is not parked except to pick up or drop off passengers.
MCL 324.74116 and 324.78119
FISCAL IMPACT:
House Bill 4463 is likely to reduce revenue for the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Department of State by expanding exemptions to the recreation passport requirement for state parks. Vehicles strictly for passenger transport are not currently exempted from the recreation passport requirement. The number of recreation passports sold exclusively to buyers whose vehicles fit the aforementioned description is unclear; consequently, the potential lost revenue is uncertain. The sale of recreation passports generated $30.3 million in revenue for FY 2017-18. This revenue is received by both the Department of State and the DNR, where it supports state park operations, maintenance, capital outlay projects, local public recreation, and forest recreation. The bill is unlikely to affect departmental costs or local government costs or revenues.
Fiscal Analyst: Austin Scott
■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.